At the end of the day last Friday David FaceTimed, and we had a chat about David Coomes’ wives. As you do. After that I had a bath, and we had a pizza for supper, then watched Endeavour. That seems many moons ago now. For instance, Dot was quite well then.
Saturday started off dry and reasonably warm. Woke at 8.20 after a poor night and thought it was 5.45 because the landing clock was slowing down and needed a new battery. Threw me out, but I had another bath, and we got away by 10.30, bound for Banbury. Very heavy traffic on the southern bypass turn-off, but I jumped it. Heavy traffic continued – long queue at Barton Mills, and Cambridge Services was overflowing, but luckily we found a space. Dot got coffee but I continued driving till past Grafham Water. Then she took over, and the rest was fairly straightforward, but the satnav left us short in Banbury, and I had to use Google Maps to work out the last couple of miles.
By then it was raining. We were first there, and in due course we had a good celebration of Fred and Sue’s golden wedding anniversary. All the children and grandchildren were there, plus Graham and Janet and several others we sort of half knew. It stopped raining in time for speeches and cake-cutting outside. Dot started feeling ill with cold. Graham and Janet were also staying the night, and we all helped clear up while Dot went to bed early.
Dot and I both had a bad night. In the morning she decided to stay at home while the rest of us – Fred, Sue, Graham, Janet and I – walked to church. Nice Communion service, not unlike St Augustine’s, but including cake distribution. Had bacon and egg for lunch (bit risky), then we left for Corwen. Filled up with petrol before hitting M40, and the journey was not too bad, but heavy traffic most of the way. Dot drove a few miles at the end.
We were met at the hotel by Adrian, who showed us where to park behind Nigel’s. Met Nigel’s two children and granddaughter. Called in to supermarket and bought sandwiches etc, and Adrian dropped us at the hotel. Small room but comfortable – at top of stairs. Both of us pretty tired. Too many dogs. Later went to the Royal Oak for drinks with Adrian, Tish, Nigel, Nathan and assorted locals. Had two red wines. Very pleasant conversation. Walked back to the hotel.
Monday was a bit grey at times, but warm. Drove along main Arenig road, then up to Blaenau Festiniog, then to Betwys y Coed and back across country to Bala, where we had coronation chicken on jacket potato. Then to the Berwyn Mountain, where we went for very short walk and back to Adrian’s house to have scone and tea with Clancy. Two of Menna’s girls were there: Olivia and Isabel.
Back to the hotel, where we asked for our room to be made up. Went for a walk, then to shop and bought some food. Very hard to get anything low fat in Wales. Back to hotel and FTd Amy, who I’d contacted by mistake on the mountain. She is doing psychology, biology and physics, with an eye on marine biology. Oliver apparently has got his accommodation at Warwick sorted out. Discovered Olivia went to Weymouth with the family. Later went over to the Harp for drinks with Nigel, Tish, Adrian, Clancy and others, including Menna’s two girls. Had cider. Dot seems a bit worse than yesterday.
Tuesday was a bit cooler, but dry. After breakfast Nigel MBE kindly drove us up over the south Berwyns and Horseshoe Pass, into Llangollen and back down back roads, with expert commentary. Rona was with us, but spaced out and often asleep. Very sad. Dropped in briefly to look at Bronwen’s house – very nice.
We then bought steak pies and drove to Llyn Cerwyn, parked by the reservoir and ate them. Then drove round the real Arenig road, and I climbed up to the lake below Arenig Fawr while Dot read and slept. Pleased with how far I was able to go without feeling too bad. Gall bladder is holding up too. Drove back to hotel and I wrote a bit more for Parish Pump while we listened to Norwich beating Bournemouth 6-0 in the League Cup. Then to the Royal Oak for drinks with Adrian and Clancy and Tish. Discussion with publican over lack of customers. Hotel was locked: had to use fire escape to get in.
Wed was warmer in the afternoon, with sunshine. But before lunch I finished my Parish Pump pieces and sent them off; then we climbed Caer Drewyn, a hill fort to the north of Corwen that had somehow escaped our attention before. I took the steep path, and Dot diverged halfway up, but we met near the top. Good views. Legs ached on the way down. Met Nigel and Rona in their van near the bottom – he was on his way to give his horse a pill. Had lunch at very slow cafe – so slow that they didn’t charge us for tea and coffee. I had a coronation chicken sandwich, which may be a mistake.
Back to hotel for loos and rest, then drove by circuitous route to Lake Bala, where we read for a bit. Lake looked terrific. Dot is reading The Snowdonia Killings, and I read 40% of Mystical Hope, by Cynthia Bourgeault, which I like very much. Dot is still suffering with her nasal passages, and a slightly iffy stomach. On the way back, when we stopped for petrol, she bought a couple of Twisters, which we consumed in a lay-by. Later we had an Indian with Adrian, Clancy, Tish and Glaves, which went down pretty well, together with a fair amount of red wine, supplemented by a quickish visit to the pub next door. I hope we will be able to sleep all right.